186Site ID:GloucesterTown:2.6Acres:YesRapid Technical Site Assessment:RestrictionFillAgricultureOtherCompleted ProjectMediumPriority:Owned by the Essex County Greenbelt Association, this site is called Page-Potter Marsh and consists of ~2.6 acres of salt marsh on Rust Island north of Route 128. The Gloucester restoration plan produced by Mass Audubon and reviewed by city officials does not identify this site as a priority. GIS analysis, historic maps, and site observation indicate that this site is historic salt marsh that drained via a tidal creek to the south. Construction of Route 128 blocked off the southern tidal connection and also reportedly introduced very significant sediment loads onto the marsh surface. Ye Old County Road crosses the northern edge of the marsh. A culvert beneath this road conveys minimal tidal flow to the site from the Annisquam River. The pipe is very corroded and will likely require replacement in the near future. Replacement of the pipe alone will not significantly restore tidal exhange to the marsh because the marsh surface has elevated over time due to sediment deposition and growth of a very dense monoculture of Phragmites. Restoration actions would excavate sediments, Phragmites vegetation, and other material from the marsh surface down to proper marsh elevations for tidal inundation. The culvert under Old County Road would also be replaced with a larger structure to restore full tidal flushing of the marsh. Invasive species control must be a top priority for any restoration project due to the current domination of the site by Phragmites. Restoration potential is considered medium based on the severe degradation of the wetland, clear restoration options, and ownership by ECGA. Potential is tempered by the potentially high per-acre costs of restoration. See the Rapid Site Assessment for further details.Site Summary:Under DevelopmentImpact Type(s)StatusPotential Project
